Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a talk by Janice LaChance, CEO of SLA. I was struck by Janice’s discussion about the importance of information professionals and research analysts in business.
Information availability does not necessarily mean that there is a direct correlation to intelligence. This is especially true in light of the recent Wall Street fiasco. If research analysts were able to warn against sub-prime lending trends based upon the accurate analysis of available information policy decisions at the top corporate level, perhaps disaster could have minimized or averted.
What is apparent, is that despite the wealth of information out there, without qualified information users, analysts and managers knowledge is lost.
Business intelligence doesn’t mean accessing information. It means using information intelligently to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the activities affecting business at many levels and executing informed, knowledgeable decisions.
